People of Manipur

60% of the Manipuri population belongs to the Meitei tribe who are Vaishnavite Hindus. They believe in Lord Vishnu, the protector in the Hindu Trinity (Vishnu, Brahma and Maheshwar). There are about 30 hill tribes and the two main tribal groups are the Kukis of the south and the Nagas of the north. The people of Manipur have long been acclaimed warriors. They excel in martial arts, hockey, rugby and polo (all of them indigenously Manipuri). Also co-existing is a group of Jews who believe they are the descendants of the Menashe Tribe (a lost Jewish tribe). In 1951, their local chief Tehalah dreamt that they were to return to Judaism and Israel.

The people breathe music, dance and sports and exhibit a tremendous zest for life.